A medical service in County Durham has been given a cash boost to cut waiting times.

The Biomechanics service, which provides assessment and treatment for patients with foot and lower limb problems, will be given &#xA3;25,000 a year by the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.

The PCT has agreed to fund a one off payment of &#xA3;25,000 this year and then from April 2004 will be investing an additional &#xA3;25,000 a year to improve services for patients referred from the north of Durham.